Census of Slaves Rented by George Washington from Mrs. Penelope French, 1799 (Page 1 of 4) | |||||
A list of Negros the property the property of Mrs. French, in possession of George Washington, by virtue of a Contract which is to terminate with the life of the former. – | |||||
Names | Ages &ca | Remarks | |||
Will | Old, but hearty | Looks after the Stock _ repairs the Fences and keeps them in order. _ | |||
Abram | In his prime | A good Ploughman, Cradler and Mower of Grass _ a good Seedsman, & ca Stack | |||
Paschall | In his prime | A very good Mower, both of Grain & Grass, and an excellent Ditcher. _ | |||
Tom | About 28 | A good Mower_and an excellent Ploughman _ but unfortunately, from some tumour in his head, it is feared that blindness, partial if not entire, will ensue. _ He has been constantly attended by Docr Craik, and has been visited by two other Doctors. _ | |||
Isaac | About 29 | An excellent Scythesman, a good Ploughman, and handy at any other business on a Farm. _ | |||
Moses | About 26 | A good Ploughman, and Carter | |||
James | About 24 | A Stout young fellow & Cradler, has been employed mostly at the Distillery. |
Census of Slaves Rented by George Washington from Mrs. Penelope French, 1799 (Page 2 of 4) | |||||
Continued | |||||
Names | Ages &ca | Remarks | |||
Julius | Abt 23 | A Very good Carter, and can do any other work, although defective in Shape from his Infancy. | |||
Spencer | Abt 20 | A good Carter and Mower, and able at any business | |||
Women | |||||
Sabine | Abt 60 | A good working woman, notwithstanding her age. | |||
Lucy | Abt 55 | Lame, or pretends to be so, occasioned by rheumatic pains; _ but is a good knitter, & so employed. _ | |||
Daphne | Abt 40 | Ploughs very well, and is a good hand at any work | |||
Delia | Abt 35 | Equally good at the Spinng Wheel or Hoe, but has been kept chiefly at the formr | |||
Grace | Abt 28 | A very good Plougher _ and equally so at all sorts of Work. _ | |||
Siss | Abt 25 | Ploughs well _ and can Milk & Churn. _ | |||
Milly | Abt 18 | A full grown Woman, and likely; _ has been used to Common work only. _ | |||
Nancy | Abt 16 | The same _ in all respects. | |||
Hannah | Abt 14 | Nearly at her full growth and a woman in appeare |
Census of Slaves Rented by George Washington from Mrs. Penelope French, 1799 (Page 3 of 4) | |||||
Boys & Girls who work in the Crops |
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Names | Ages &ca | Remarks | |||
Daniel | Abt 16 | ||||
Isaac | 14 | ||||
Matilda | 13 | ||||
Betty | 13 | ||||
Briney | 12 | ||||
Grace | 12 | ||||
Children | |||||
Stately | 10 | Son to…………….……….….Lucy | |||
Renney | 6 | Daughr…………….………….Ditto | |||
Raison | 3 | Ditto…………….……..……..Ditto | |||
Morgan | 2 | Son ..……….…….……..……Ditto | |||
Phoenix | 1 | Ditto………….….….………..Ditto | |||
Polly | 9 | Daughter to…….……….....….Daphne | |||
Maria | 2 | Ditto………....…to……….….Ditto | |||
Jack | 7 | Son………….…to…….….….Delia | |||
Julia | 4 | Daughter...............………...….Ditto | |||
Nelly | 2 | Ditto…………….….…….…..Ditto | |||
Ambrose | 1 | Son ..……….…………...……Ditto | |||
Bob | 10 | Do……….….…to…….....…..Grace | |||
Sall | 8 | Daughr…………….………….Ditto | |||
Judy | 4 | Ditto………….….….………..Ditto | |||
Augusta | 1 | Ditto………….….….………..Ditto | |||
Nancy | 10 | Daughter………..to……….....Sabine | |||
Men | 9 | ||||
Women | 9 | ||||
Workg boys | & Girs | 6 | |||
Children | 16 | ||||
In All | 40 | The Negros contained in this list, with the Remarks on them, are given with accuracy; _ and their ages are entered from |
Census of Slaves Rented by George Washington from Mrs. Penelope French, 1799 (Page 4 of 4) |
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DownloadIn 1786, George Washington arranged to rent 500 acres of land from Mrs. Penelope French, the widow of Daniel French. Part of the agreement allowed for Washington to rent the services of some of Mrs. French's enslaved workers. Five months before his death in 1799, George Washington compiled a list of the 40 enslaved workers he was still renting from Mrs. French - including their names, ages, occupations, family relationships, and overall health and demeanor.